In a significant development, human remains found over 20 years ago near I-275 in Knoxville, Tennessee, have been officially identified using genetic testing, as announced by the Knox County government on Monday.
The remains were discovered back in November 2003 when the Knoxville Police Department was alerted to a body near the Woodlawn entrance ramp. An anthropology team from the University of Tennessee assisted in the initial recovery and examination of the remains, although the condition of the body at the time of discovery remains unclear.
Identifying these remains proved to be a long and complex process. However, recent advancements in genetic testing led to the identification of the remains belonging to Brian A. Sanderson, a 54-year-old from Vermont.
The Knox County Regional Forensic Center announced this breakthrough on their Facebook page, praising the collaborative efforts of their team, the Knoxville Police Department, and the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Center.
In the last couple of years, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center, alongside local law enforcement, has made significant strides in solving cold cases. Chris Thomas, the center’s administrator, provided updates regarding the case but didn’t disclose details regarding Sanderson’s cause of death or how long he had been in Tennessee.
Thomas expressed the center’s commitment to identifying remains and connecting them with their families, stating, “We want the families to have closure.”
The investigation originally involved DNA samples submitted to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System as early as 2008. However, it wasn’t until recent forensic advancements that a breakthrough was achieved. In 2017, the team resumed investigations, identifying the remains as belonging to a white male, approximately 5 feet tall, aged between 40 and 60.
In 2022, Knox County obtained a federal grant to collaborate with Othram, a private company specializing in cold case resolution through DNA analysis. This partnership ultimately led to the successful identification of Sanderson.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs expressed gratitude towards the Regional Forensic Center, acknowledging the staff’s skills and dedication. “They always work to make sure no one is forgotten or neglected,” he emphasized in a Facebook post.